Why not call stores out???

I'm also curious about this. Considering that there's a plethora of sites dedicated to reviewing establishments such as bars, restaurants, stores, ect., including this website where people provide honest (and sometimes brutal) feedback. Why do people feel the need to hold back? It seems like you're hurting your fellow BA when you don't inform them. Is it because some of the stores participate on these forums? Is it because you want to lead your fellow BA on a boondoggle so that you can pursue more frugal endeavors ? I'm interested to hear the unwritten law of not calling out stores.

 

If you are going to complain, give a name. I have no problem with that. However if you are going to complain, make sure it is worth complaining about. Many of the complaints I come across can border on overly dramatic or just plain silly. Sure it sucks when stores "over-price" their beers but I am not sure that is worth going on a big rant about. If it is not worth the money, don't buy it. If enough people don't pony up the money, things will change. There is a decent chance a complaint about specific over priced beer will just inform those who are willing to pay the price where to find said beer and exacerbating the problem.

 

because as you say "manning up" is tough. plus, you can always go to a different store. then these bad practices would go away. thats what I do. I dont buy from stores I dont like.

 

Here in Minnesota, several stores were selling Surly Darkness for over twice the price, people called them out and hopefully it has cost them some business.

 

Pretty sure it's because they're cowards.

 

If you don't frequent a store and only go there once and see something off I would be hesitant to call out a store if it could be an isolated incident that you were unfortunate enough to experience.

Otherwise, I would generally say you should name the store.

 

I'm sure Bay Area folks know of a store or two that could be called scetchy....well, more so expensive. But that doesn't stop the customers from buying all the Alpine beers they charge at over 2 times the regular price....well this 1 store at least.

Perry's gets mentioned all the time for having a great selection, but being very overpriced, yet people clear them out of all the beers that many other stores in the area don't get.

I pretty much have a pipeline from my place to Drake's, so I don't go to Perry's that often. When people ask me though what store to get beer from around me and the surrounding cities, I tell them Perry's without hesitation....but expect to put a nice dent in your wallet.

 

There are two local stores I refuse to shop at anymore because of their business practices (bootlegging, illegal sales, etc) and they are 2 of the top 10 beerfly stores, but I guess I dont feel I have to call them out publicly as I dont care if anyone else shops there or not - free country. It's more of nonmonetary issues for me, so not sure it really fits in with the vibe of the thread, but I think its worth mentioning that there are lots of issues going on instead of just pricing issues.

 

Surdyks is a price gouging douche store, why not call them out?

 

If you have a beef with a store, you should fill you disatisfaction.... to the store owners. Maybe you might get answers. It's the logical first step.

Going online and ranting about some place on some forum doesn't make it true neccesarily. The truth lies with people, not the Internet.

I'll understand that if I have a bad experience I am among my friends and will tell them, or anyone who asks, but going out anonymously for the most part and giving no details on an open forum just feeds a bunch of distrust without providing anything real concrete.

There are certain things worth perhaps getting upset about, sometimes perhaps not, but if you don't like it personaly then just dont shop there, and give your business dollars to someone else.

 

I'll speak up: 1 west Dupont in dc has obscenely high prices, and while the staff is friendly they are unapologetic for gouging

 

I think some don't openly complain because they don't have a lot of other options for bottle shops....that being said, if you still support said store, then QUIT COMPLAINING!!

 

A good reason to not call a store out is because others may not hold issue with the offenses which you are claiming - which also may not be valid. To, for instance, call out a store for rubbing off bottled on dates is wrong - since it may have been the distributor. These people, under question, have families to feed - and you, like many here, are the educated consumer. If you do not agree with something, say it to the person first. Allow them the chance to defend themsleves, or otherwise disprove your accusations.

It's beer. Not cancer medicine.

 

I can say the Grog shop in Whittier is run by a great guy George but he is trying to ramp up his craft beer selection and is lacking in turnover. He still has in the cooler Double jack from 5/11. On the shelves he has warm Hop Henge with a best by 4/12 and I see it sitting there. He has a ton of cooler space but for his demographic he stocks a ton of Bud, Coors, Corona. Hes trying but I dont think he is advertising well enough to attract more beer geek forward clientle.

Cheers!

 

I don't have many options for bottle shops here with good beer selection. So I would not burn any bridges (by taking a chance of them finding out who I was) unless the offense of the store was enough to make me never go back. In which case I would.

But say, charging $20 a bottle for KBS? I don't see something like that as enough reason to out a shop. Now scraping off exp dates? Sure.

 

And this is a website dedicated to discussing beer. Having a family to feed in all but the most extreme instances is not a justification to unethical business practices. I do agree that you should ask about it in person first, and give the person a chance to explain the circumstances. You might even be helping that person find a defect that was not his/her fault. After that I have no problem if someone mentions the name on here, but they should also clarify the number of times this has occurred and not be hasty to deliver a final verdict on the quality of the store. I love getting information on stores from here, but make sure it is honest and not sensationalized.

 

So you agree with me.

 

Pretty much yes. I just had a slight issue with the families to feed statement as ethics and business decisions tend to clash. But I understand that the statement was more to point out that you wouldn't want to injure the business for something that the owner was not at fault for.